Manchester United have reportedly revived their interest in centre-back Joao Miranda as manager Jose Mourinho looks to add some experience to his youthful back line. 

The Portuguese has added Eric Bailly, 22, to his squad already this summer but, with Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind both potentially set to depart Old Trafford, he is now eyeing Miranda, 31, to bring some expertise to his defence, per MailOnline’s Simon Jones.

Jones added that Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair are all set to be loaned out. With Rojo and Blind potentially leaving permanently, that would leave United short on depth at the back.

Miranda, who is currently on a two-year loan spell at Inter Milan from Atletico Madrid, has been heavily linked with United in the past, while he was also a Chelsea target when Mourinho was manager at Stamford Bridge, per Matt Law in the Telegraph.

The Brazilian has been one of the most consistent centre-backs in Europe for some time now and enjoyed another good campaign in Serie A last term with Inter.

He is hugely experienced at the very highest level having won La Liga with Atleti and made the Champions League final in 2013-14, and his arrival at Old Trafford would take some of the burden off 26-year-old Chris Smalling as the senior centre-back.

Though already 31, Miranda could certainly be a key part of the United defence for the next couple of years at least, and he would add excellent aerial presence, positional awareness and necessary calm to the Red Devils squad.

Meanwhile, as well as being slightly short in the centre-back ranks, United still lack a recognised first-choice right-back and genuine quality and depth in central midfield, per Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe:

According to Jones, the Manchester outfit are eyeing Monaco’s Fabinho and Atleti’s Saul Niguez in an attempt to resolve the remaining issues.

Saul, 21, enjoyed a breakout season under manager Diego Simeone in 2015-16, proving himself to be a complete midfielder, contributing in both attack and defence, per WhoScored.com:

United were heavily linked with him at the end of last term, but he only recently penned a new five-year deal with Atletico and is highly unlikely to be available, per Metro‘s George Bellshaw.

Brazil international Fabinho is perhaps a more realistic target.

He is contracted to Monaco until 2019 having joined the club permanently last summer after two seasons there on loan from Rio Ave but could likely be tempted by the prospect of playing under Mourinho in the Premier League.

Excellent defensively, physical and effective going forward, Fabinho can also operate as a defensive midfielder with good passing range, and he would be an astute addition to Mourinho’s squad.

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